Starred Review ALA Booklist (Tue Feb 28 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Starred Review Anya lives in the night village, a nocturnal community that tends to the powerful Night-Flower tree, the pollen from which sustains them in their food and medicine. Everyone in the night village has a job, and Anya has agreed to be the moth keeper, the guardian and caretaker of the magical moths responsible for pollinating the Night-Flower tree. It's lonely work e spends each night away from the village, tending to the moths and ensuring they don't get lost t she finds satisfaction in doing such an important service to her community. Or does she? Fans of O'Neill's comics, such as Tea Dragon Society (2017), will recognize some hallmarks of their work tter-of-fact queer representation, stunning natural scenes, themes of conservation t the distinctive desert setting and glowing nighttime palette set this apart. The attention to detail in the world building, from the folktales of the night village to the gorgeous landscapes, are captivating and add to the overall atmosphere, especially as Anya begins exploring and contemplating her place in her community. The slow, meditative pace suits Anya's journey, and the ultimate message at important community work is too much for one person to bear an important one, especially for young readers. Hand this quiet, beautifully drawn book to readers of gentle, uplifting, character-driven comics.

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

A girl learns about herself and the wider world as she takes on the mantle of Moth Keeper.When Anya takes her Moth Keeper vows, she knows it means spending nights alone in the desert being a beacon, guardian, and companion to the Moon-Moths. Given as a reward by the Moon-Spirit, the Moon-Moths pollinate the Night-Flower tree, which confers special blessings to the nocturnal community. Anya thrives at first, but the vast darkness and an ancient ghost gnaw at her. Worse, the abundance and warmth of the sun-village are irresistible. Can Anya fulfill her vows to protect her friends, found family, and the Moon-Moths, or will everything be lost with the rising sun? Expressing quiet resilience, this story lifts up nature's symbiotic relationships and the power of community. Inspired by the alpine landscapes, flora, and fauna of Aotearoa New Zealand, the illustrations revel in the contrast between nighttime indigo and glowing desert colors. At times the storytelling is carried by detailed wordless spreads; at others, oral storytelling is woven into the larger narrative. The characters present with a diverse range of skin tones as well as a mixture of human and animal features. Anya has golden tan skin, wide golden eyes, black eyebrows, and a mane of golden fur that extends into foxlike ears. One character has albinism, and one walks with the use of a cane.A nature-based coming-of-age story aglow with the light of loving bonds and communal living. (author's note, sketches) (Graphic fantasy. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

A girl learns about herself and the wider world as she takes on the mantle of Moth Keeper.When Anya takes her Moth Keeper vows, she knows it means spending nights alone in the desert being a beacon, guardian, and companion to the Moon-Moths. Given as a reward by the Moon-Spirit, the Moon-Moths pollinate the Night-Flower tree, which confers special blessings to the nocturnal community. Anya thrives at first, but the vast darkness and an ancient ghost gnaw at her. Worse, the abundance and warmth of the sun-village are irresistible. Can Anya fulfill her vows to protect her friends, found family, and the Moon-Moths, or will everything be lost with the rising sun? Expressing quiet resilience, this story lifts up nature's symbiotic relationships and the power of community. Inspired by the alpine landscapes, flora, and fauna of Aotearoa New Zealand, the illustrations revel in the contrast between nighttime indigo and glowing desert colors. At times the storytelling is carried by detailed wordless spreads; at others, oral storytelling is woven into the larger narrative. The characters present with a diverse range of skin tones as well as a mixture of human and animal features. Anya has golden tan skin, wide golden eyes, black eyebrows, and a mane of golden fur that extends into foxlike ears. One character has albinism, and one walks with the use of a cane.A nature-based coming-of-age story aglow with the light of loving bonds and communal living. (author's note, sketches) (Graphic fantasy. 8-12)